G.U.T.S.

Check this out :)

http://www.girlsusingtheirstrengths.blogspot.com/

Blessings,

Mindy

Heavenly Father.

Here is a poem I wrote and had the opportunity to share with my Seven community last night before communion. 

"How great the Father’s love for us,

His mercy and grace cover us.

Hallelujah we sing, to our father the King,

His love fills us 

and heals us, 

our praises to him, in the songs that we sing.

How great the Father’s love for us, 

this everlasting love,

this real love,

 this love we cannot escape.

His body the bread and his blood the wine,

heal us oh heavenly Father and let your light shine.

We are your children, 

children who need a holy Father, a mentor and a savior.

Hear us now as we remember you,

let us remember all you went through.

Our souls thirst for you 

and burn for you,

Let us remember you, as we live as the ones you have called.

O how you love us, in a way that is so deep and so wide,

hear our worship and accept our praise.

Lord you are the father, who gives us joy, and breath, and life,

thank you for hearing your children,

as we sing of your holy sacrifice."

Written by Melinda Clark

Bye-bye books... Hello baby!

As I approach my college graduation, this time is very bittersweet to me. I can't believe that after the summer, I will not be returning to school. I've been waiting so long for this moment... and now it is actually happening. My journey through college was a crazy, tough, fun, long, rewarding roller coaster. It has taken seven years, but I've now reached the end.... and it feels good to have accomplished one of my biggest dreams.

I began junior college down in Riverside in 2002. I can still remember my first day. I was a lost little small town, 18-year-old leaving Barstow to try out the real world. I remember sitting in rush hour traffic and being late to my first day of college. There was nowhere to park, and the Riverside Community College seemed so huge to me. 

I just remember crying and calling my mom. I know she wanted to just tell me to come home but she stayed strong and encouraged me that everything would be okay.I felt so small in this big new world and I didn't know anyone. Luckily, my dad was working in Riverside at the time and he came to my rescue =) He helped me find parking, then walked the campus with me so that I knew where all my classes were. He took me to lunch and I felt so much better. It was a silly story... but I will never forget it.

Many years have past since that first day of college and many life changes have happened during that time. I went through adjusting to a new place, to break-ups with boyfriends, finding my relationship with Christ, finding the love of my life, becoming his wife, and now.... becoming a mommy. I can't wait to tell my baby boy that he walked with me across that stage when I get my diploma.

Without this sounding like an academy award acceptance, I want to give credit where credit is due. There have been so many people who have helped me get where I am today. I know that it is my precious Jesus who carried me through all those tough times when I wanted to give up and run away from college altogether. Satan had such a hold on me and my confidence when it came to college. He was winning, then my Jesus stepped in and told me that with HIM, I can do anything.

My parents are so amazing. Their love and belief in me is such a big part of why I am where I'm at today. My dad always pushed me when I needed it, bought my books even when I failed classes repeatedly, and even provided me with a car so that I didn't have to worry about a car payment during school. He never gave up on me. My mom was there when I had a bad day, needed to cry over a failed test or an ex-boyfriend. She always encouraged me and told me to keep my head up. She is the glue that held our family together and would do anything to see her children happy. I hope I will be as good of a mom as she is. I am blessed to have been raised by two incredible individuals. Their love for the Lord and for each other has paid of greatly when I look at our family. 

My husband has been my anchor for the past two years. He has worked hard and provided for me so that I can continue my dream of education. He is my best friend, my love, my support, and now, my baby's daddy =) His love for Christ, and his passion to see others succeed has helped me to believe in myself and always work hard. He is my hero, and it is a honor that I get to graduate from the same school as him and wear his graduation robe at my graduation. I know that his grandpa Clark who is not longer with us on Earth is looking down from Heaven and thinking what an amazing man Marcos has become. I am so blessed to be his wife. 

There are so many others who have encouraged me, prayed for me, and made my college years unforgettable. My brothers, my family, my Clark family, my best friends, my small group, college buddies, church pastors... this accomplishment is not just mine... it belongs to everyone around me and I am convinced that it takes a community to raise a college grad =)

It's now time to say bye-bye to the books and hello to our beautiful baby boy. I am so humbled by the fact that God has chosen Marcos and I to take on the role of parents and raise one of his beautiful creations. I am so excited about this new chapter in our lives, and there is no one I would rather share it with than Marcos. I won't be working right away, and we often wonder how we are going to afford to raise a family, but that is when our faith comes in. We are trusting that Jesus will provide just has he has since the day we got married. God has truly blessed our lives and I know that every single thing that is good comes from my Jesus. Thanks for being a part of our journey!

"The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." - Psalm 116: 5-7

L-O-V-E

"Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and you former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-righteous, holy and true". Ephesians 4:21-24

When we become Christians, we become a new creation. We all have a filthy past that has at some point brought us and the people we love shame. We are sinners, but before we ever sinned, Christ died for us. He knew our nature was to be selfish, but he gave in to an excruciating death on our behalf anyway. 

Because of this death that Christ took on our behalf, we are able to flee from that life of selfishness, lust, bitterness and greed. 

Because of Christ's death for me, "I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me". Galatians 2:20

As Christians, we are called to be set apart. We are called to love the unloveable and to forgive the unforgivable. For it is not in our own power that we are able to do this, but in the power of Christ Jesus. Instead of wasting our days mocking others, or trying to make their days miserable, we are called to lift them up and encourage them. 

Our years on this Earth are so short. And we are unaware of the day God will call each of us home. So I ask myself-- what will I do with my short years to make a difference in eternity? How will I play my part in extending the Kingdom of God?

I want to learn to love people the way that Christ loves me.

Love is such a simple word, used over and over in this life-- but do we really show love when it truly matters? It is easy to love those who love us first. It is easy to love those who make life easier on us. It is easy to love precious, innocent children. But do we love the people who have hurt us and showed nothing but disrespect to us? Do we love those who make our lives miserable and who spit in our face? 

All people love the lovable, but it takes the power of Christ in our lives to love the unloveable. 

Remember, Christ died for those men and women who spat upon him, mocked him, slashed his back, and nailed him to a cross. That is what real love looks like. 

The Bible teaches what is important in this life. "There are three things that will endure-- faith, hope, and love- and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

 Jesus showed love to the people who were most undeserving. There is no time and no room in our lives to hold grudges and not forgive others. It doesn't matter what someone has done to us, if we claim the name of Christ, we are commanded to forgive them. Bitterness does nothing to the other person, but it will eat us alive inside and keep us from living a life to the full that Christ called each one of us to live.

Who do you need to forgive or encourage today? Their time on Earth as well as ours is too short. Don't wait until it is too late. 

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you". Ephesians 4:31-32

Just a thought.

Awhile back, my friend Heidi shared a website with me that has been very encouraging and helpful as a wife. The website is http://www.the-generous-wife.com and if you sign up for it, it will send you daily reminders on little things you can do to be a generous wife. This is something I read today that I thought I would share:

     I encourage you to make listening a priority.  I know that may sound a bit simplistic, but listening is an important skill.  It helps you understand those around you (hubby included) and will give you many opportunities to bless.  If you know what your husband is feeling, you can encourage him.  If you know what he likes you, can bless him.  If you know what your husband dreams of, you can inspire.

     "The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood.  The best way to understand people is to listen to them."  Ralph Nichols

Be blessed!

The love of the Father.

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you" - Psalm 116:7

How grateful my heart is today to know that God has given us a little miracle. When I gave my life to the LORD there was a love inside of me that I could not explain. When I married Marcos, I felt another special kind of love that I know comes only from the Lord. Now that I have a baby growing inside of me, it is yet another kind of love that I can't even fully fathom yet. The LORD has blessed me and filled my heart with a joy that is beyond myself. I am so grateful for this new chapter that is emerging, and even more grateful for the love from my Heavenly Father that surrounds me in every phase of my life. 

I am thankful to feel Jesus in my own Spiritual Walk, in our Marriage, and in our Growing Family; for these things all belong to Him.

How I told him.

Well, my friend @MrsPRD wrote a blog awhile back about how she told her husband the good news about being pregnant, and said she loved hearing other women's stories about how they told their husbands, so this is what I did.

Well, Marcos and I had been trying to get pregnant for about 6 months, so pregnancy tests were not a stranger in our house. I was driving home from school one day, feeling exhausted and I had been very emotional that whole week (I just didn't feel like myself). So I decided to stop at Super Target for a pregnancy test (The cheap, Target brand of course.) I got home, took the test, and saw a VERY faint line... but anytime I had taken this kind of test, there was never any kind of line. So right away I was like, "Oh my gosh, is this real? I don't believe it." 

So I went to Wal Mart right after that to purchase the more expensive brand. Got home, took the test, and there was another line. Marcos was still not home yet but I didn't want to just tell him, I wanted to do something special, so I went that whole night knowing, without even telling my husband. It was torture!

The next morning after Marcos left for work, I took the other test (#3) and when that one also read positive, I went to Target to buy a little bib that said "I love Daddy" and a Clear Blue test that Marcos could easily understand if I showed him. I got the bib in Blue because I figured that's a little more neutral than pink. Okay, so I ended up taking like 5 tests before I even told my husband... but I just still couldn't believe it!

So when Marcos got home, I gave him a little bag and said,"Here honey, I got you something today because it was on sale". He began opening the bag and I kept giggling and he kept looking at me and saying "What is wrong with you?" 

Then he pulled out the bib and the test that clearly said, "Pregnant" and looked at me in disbelief and said, "You're pregnant?!" (He had no idea what was coming since I had already told him a little white lie and said that I started my period already.) Of course he was just as excited as me but we still could not believe that we had made a baby!

So that's the story! We also bought bibs that said, "I love Grandma & Grandpa" to surprise both our parents with. Of course, both of your moms cried! But we are all so very excited.

I am currently 12 weeks and just now starting to feel morning sickness. I went almost the whole first trimester without it, but it's hitting me now. But I am so blessed to have this baby growing inside of me and I wouldn't change the experience for the world! 

Two weeks ago we got to see our baby swimming around on the sonogram screen and got to hear the little heart beat. Our next appointment is in two weeks.

Real Strength.

It's amazing how much we can learn about Jesus through other people. Yes, I read my bible and study God's word, but I'm also a very visual person; so when I see someone actually walking the walk instead of just talking the talk, I can actually see Jesus in person. 

It's funny that I have been married to Marcos for almost two years now, and I still have yet to see an ounce of arrogance in him. This is not to say that he is perfect, but in the ways that I am lacking... he seems to balance me and remind me of the things that Jesus would do. 

Marcos is a very humble man, and let me tell you... in the world we live in today, it takes a strong man to be a humble person. 

I admire my husband and I know God is real, not just by my faith and because of what I read, but because I see him living through my husband and our marriage. 

For that, I am so thankful and I am so excited for our future children to have a Dad like Marcos to look up to-- someone who treats people with respect and kindness, and who can overlook the bad to find the good in anyone. I couldn't have asked for a better man.

"Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2

Goodbye Spring Break..

...Hello, last quarter of college!

 Well, I had a great time with Amber while she was out in California. But the week went by so fast! It was nice to just hang out like old times. Marcos and I had different Spring Breaks this year so he had to work the whole week but we did get to spend one day together in Long Beach with Amber.

 We went to the Long Beach Aquarium, which we had never been to and it was pretty fun. I know the teacher side of Marcos loved learning about all those fish! Then we got to see my friend Michele, and we took Marcos to a Mediterranean Grill which was so delicious. I had been there a couple of times before with Michele but always wanted to take Marcos because that is so his kind of thing... and he made me eat baba ghanouj for the first time! (It's like Hummus, but made with eggplant instead, i guess?)

It was nice to have a little vacation before I start my last quarter. I miss Amber already but I'm so happy she came out to visit. I am so thankful for the friends in my life... even if some of them are scattered all over the place! 

Real wisdom. Real truth.

The Bible says, "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy one results in understanding". Proverbs 9:10

This verse stands out to me this morning because I can say for myself that I did not know how to make truly wise decisions until I learned to fear the Lord. Yeah, I probably made some good decisions based on chance, but never truly wise until I knew my Heavenly father who brings complete truth into my life. 

I gave my life completely to Jesus about 6 years ago. I look at my life today and know without a doubt, that where I am is not because of my own successes or my own personal doing, but because I realized I could not live a purposeful and meaningful life without Jesus' hand guiding me through important decisions that came my way. 

Before I began to fear the Lord, I was like a little child, lost and looking for my Heavenly father to take my hand and walk me across the busy streets of life. Even a fifty year old man with years of education and experience is like a lost little child without the Lord. 

Life will continue to hand me big decisions, good times, bad times, surprises both enjoyed and despised, but I fear a Lord who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will not change or leave my side. His word remains as it always has, and saturates my heart. He is in my marriage, my family, my daily life... and for that, I am blessed. I want to seek real wisdom as my life matures. It can't be found on television or in the riches of this world, but in that book of life that sits next to by bed each night. 

I believe it is impossible to be truly wise without fearing the Lord, and I am eager to gain more wisdom today.

Oikos.

"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5:47

Let's not forget the people beyond our Christian circles. Who are we inviting to church or into our homes this week that may not be believers? 

By the way...

I got an A- on my ethics speech... wow! I was so nervous about it. And it was amazing to see how many other Christians were in the class that I wasn't even aware of! It was a great experience but I'm so glad that class is over!! Thank you Jesus for getting me through that one!

I'll admit it.

I've been keeping up with American Idol this season (somehow) .... and my favorite is Megan. Yeah she does those weird little dance moves but her voice is unique. But there is something about Anoop that I really like too... wow, this show has been around forever... and I can't believe I still love it.

shining a little light.

Sometimes, it's the actions of other people that show me how real God is. I felt that this week after hearing a little story about my dad. He is known for being that guy who invites in all the Jehovah's Witnesses or any other person going door to door evangelizing about their religions. 

My dad never turns them away, but rather, he welcomes them into his home and gives them a kind of hospitality that most of these people probably rarely get. He loves talking with them. My dad makes it clear to his new friends that he won't be converted, but they can still discuss their beliefs and become friends.

The other day, my dad went to the Hospital to visit one of his Jehovah's witness friends that he met on his front door step, who had pneumonia. The guy could not believe that my dad took time out of his day to come and visit him.... and my dad just simply said, "You're my friend now, and this is what friends do".

This little story just blew me away because I always thought these people just got doors shut in their faces majority of the time. But my dad actually takes the time to get to know them. My dad always tells me, "They may have different beliefs than me, but they are still people... and Jesus loves all people.

Just thought I would share and hopefully this story will bring you just as much encouragement as it brought me. I am thankful to have a dad that shows me through his actions, what Jesus would do. Hopefully this week we will be reminded to look beyond ourselves and make a difference in someone else's day... even if they are 'different'.

"Right now three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."

Denis Waitley

And he's off!

Yup, my baby brother is leaving for Africa today on a mission's trip. He will be in Africa for ten days, but with flights and all, he will be gone for two weeks. Please keep him and everyone else on the trip in your prayers. I am so proud of my brother and I am amazed by his Passion to serve the Lord through Missions work. I know God is going to use him to do amazing things in this life. He is one of my heroes for sure. Thank you for your prayers!

Distant.

This last week has been a little rough for me. Not for any particular reason... I have just been in one of those funks. Usually I feel very alive and vibrant, but this last week was blah. I just didn't feel motivated about anything. I feel like I just hit a wall and didn't want to go to work or school or do my homework or clean my house. This is very abnormal for me.

Tonight as I listened to the amazing worship at Seven, I realized why I was in such a funk. There was a verse in one of the songs that I don't remember exactly, but it went something like "Sometimes you feel so far away, and other times you are closer than my skin". I realize that this past week or even past few weeks, I have distanced myself from God.

I have been letting myself get overwhelmed with school and work, and trying to carry the load of life myself. I have not been trusting God to carry my burdens or stresses. I have been trying to do it all on my own, and I am reminded of how weak I am without the strength of the Lord. I get prideful and think I can handle anything...  then God reminds me again of my need for him.

This week I found out that my mom's best friend (who I am very close to as well) has stage 2 breast cancer and will be undergoing radiation soon. It really weighed heavy on my heart this week, so that probably didn't help my week get much better... But she is a Godly woman who loves the Lord with her whole heart, and I am at peace knowing she is in God's hands. 

My husband has been very patient with my wave of emotions this week and brought me some encouragement. He gave me a quote from a book that said, "When we stress and worry, we are telling God that he is not big enough to take care of our problems". I am reminding myself of this with each deadline and paper... or even worrying for a friend. 

This week I am going to make sure I cling to my Savior and not try to do it all on my own. I want him to be closer than my skin, and remind me of his presence daily. He is my rock and my strength that will get me through any valley. I am blessed and extremely humbled. 

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us oh Lord, even as we put our hope in you." - Psalm 33:20-22

My better half.

Last week Marcos got offered tenure, which means his principle asked him to stay at their school and basically his teaching job is secure. I am so proud of him and I am so thankful that God has blessed his hard work and dedication. My husband is someone who I not only am in love with, but someone that I admire and look up to for many reasons. 

Marcos is dedicated, and passionate about seeing others succeed. He works hard, but always helps someone out along the way and I am blessed to share my life with such a man. And I know the teachers and students he interacts with on a daily basis are blessed as well!

Out of my comfort zone...

So, for my ethics class this quarter, I will be required to give an 8-10 minute speech on ethics and ethnicity. It is a speech all about me: Who I am, where I come from, and what ethical system I live by (Basically, I will talk about Christianity on this part). It seems like this would be really easy since, there’s probably no other topic I know more about than myself. However, I am finding myself freaking out a little, not about the speech... but about sharing my faith at a very liberal school. 

That may sound silly, because this is what we are here for.... but I think I’m freaking because I don’t want it to just be a speech for a grade. I want to give this speech in a very genuine, confident manner that would perhaps make a difference in someone’s life. I know I will be representing God, and I want to make him look attractive to people who don't know him... I guess this what pastor's experience every week =)

I know that ultimately, this is going to be an amazing experience for me to share my faith with my classmates and professor. And I know this is not an accident, but one of those times in life where I will be forced to step out of my comfort zone and stand up for Christ when I’d just rather sit there. Surely, God wasn’t going to take me through this university without sharing my faith! I ask you to pray that God will give me confidence and the ability to share his word in an attractive way... in this room where even atheists exist. 

Something more...

There’s something more...

There’s something more than ourselves,  more than trying to get ahead...

There’s more than the daily grind, more than just work....

There’s more than this problem at hand, more than what we can see....

There’s more than what we have to get done today, more than being in a hurry...

There’s more than being in the spotlight, more than passing that stranger...

There’s more than taking the lead, more than just letting the world pass us by....

Life has many, many difficulties... and it will never “just be” easy. But there is always something more beneath the surface that we often forget to see.... A person we often overlook can be one of the most amazing individuals we have ever met. Someone “different” may have something beautiful to teach us. That extra moment we take to listen to someone may make all the difference in the world in their life. That extra change may not mean nearly as much to us as it does to someone else. It’s hard in this world to be selfless, but then again... 

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" -Micah 6:8

Thankful for My Husband, My Daddy, Jeff,  Roberto, and Timmy... Five of the most selfless, humble men I have ever met. 

Thankful.

I am thankful that even when I think I've got things together in my life, God stretches me a little more, teaches me a little more, reminds me a little more... I am thankful that my life in this world will always be a work in progress. I'm never going to be "at" the perfect place in life, but this is my life, right now... and God's plan for me is perfect.

 Today there is a lesson to learn, a person to love, problem to solve, a time to be tested, a moment to embrace, a picture to take, a friend to make, a song to sing....  I am thankful that even when I am looking forward to so many of the wonderful things God has for me in the future, that he reminds me of the beauty of today... and to cherish it. 

Today I am thankful for every blessing, every burden, every challenge, every person, every moment... I am thankful to be alive today. I am thankful that God has given me a joy that does not have to be circumstantial, but through him, I have joy everyday. This is beautiful. 

And all I can say is...  Hallelujah.

"Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles". Psalm 105:2

It's okay to ask why.

Feeling the burden of the world today.

Wondering... why?

Why are there so many hungry children?

Why are there so many broken homes?

Why do people kill?

Why so much hatred?

Why do people have to die?

Why do people move away? 

Why do we grow up?

Why do people change?

Why do things change at all?

I know the answers to most of these questions...  I'm not naive. I know why.. There is sin in this world... and others are just part of God's perfect plan. I wonder why still.. Sometimes I just want to stop. I just want to think... and wonder. For the sin of this world has corrupted each one of us somehow. But there is something more than this world. There is only one source of true life. And I am reminded again.

"I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces." Psalm 34: 4-5

He is our hope. Our life. Our joy.

"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever" - Psalm 16:11

How blessed I am to be in the presence of the LORD every second of the day. The joy and the promise he offers is more than anything the world can offer me. 

"Tomorrow morning, when you put your rings on your fingers, also put on a spirit of peace. When you put your earrings on your ears, put them on with a cheerful attitude. When you clasp your necklace around your neck, clasp a sweet spirit to your heart also. The Jewelry you wear won't make much difference in your day, but the spirit you wear will" 

-Spangler & Syswerda

When nothing is certain-- Everything is possible. ♥

Frugal can be fun.

.... And still look contemporary. I'm not all about collecting junk... our house is pretty clutter free. But I do love finding antique pieces for a pocket full of change. I love going to yard sales to find that one piece that compliments my home. Here are a few things I've found recently.

I found this in someone's yard. (50 cents)
I found this just this morning in my neighbor's yard... it was very dusty. ( 20 cents)
And I found this is my father-in-law's garage when they were moving. (free =) ...Ok, Marcos says he bought it years ago, but I still found it and it was free for me.
And sometimes I like to be artistic. I love to write, but deep down I also really love art and interior design. I want to do it all one day. I really have no one thing... maybe I will just be a wife, a mother, a writer, a painter, an interior designer, and an antique collector =) I also want to have my own coffee shop and write books. Who says I have to limit myself?  So, we will see =) Yes, I am very indecisive. 

Something I painted with the help of my friend Anna. It's hanging in my living room, where I had a bare wall and not much money.

And this is the headboard Marcos and I made together after I saw how much furniture stores were charging. Mine was cheap and I like it better. Plus it was fun making it. Well, there's another peek into my life. Until the next blog...

Oh yeah, Happy New Year everyone!